William Shakespeare gives the reader a very fair warning in the very first paragraph of his play 1597 Romeo and Juliet that this is not a feel-good comedy; in fact it’s quite the opposite. This play is arguably the most universally-known romance story of the 21st century. Its tragic tale of young, forbidden love has captured the hearts of millions and has even been remade as well as parodied into many films such as West Side Story, Shakespeare In Love, Gnomeo and Juliet, and many more. The story of Romeo and Juliet is so iconic because of its dramatic examples of growing out of childhood, long-running arguments and fights, and a desperate need for love and the following consequences.
Romeo and Juliet is set in the small, Italian city of …show more content…
Was it Friar Laurence’s fault for not acting quicker? Was it the parents’ of Romeo and Juliet for not allowing their children to express themselves and follow their desires? It all depends on how the reader looks at the situation. Juliet was arranged to be married to an older man, Paris, who only wanted a wife to mate and have offspring so the family name will live on. “Younger than she are happy mothers made” (1.2, 12). Since as Juliet was only fourteen years old at that time her priorities most likely weren’t to be married and especially not to have children. Since she was of a higher social class it was to be expected that as soon as a female’s body matured she was to be married off. Marrying for love was almost unheard of because they needed to keep wealthy and well-mannered offspring a tradition. So, Juliet didn’t have much choice but to follow her parent’s orders. If someone were to compare this situation to how people are married in this time era they would find that, in a majority of the cases, arranged marriage is often frowned upon in modern society. In countries that are in poverty, that still treat women like cattle, the idea of arranged marriage is still used. This shows how women have gained more freedom in who they want to spend the rest of their life with. Juliet’s identity was looked upon as a Capulet and grown teenager who was old enough to be married but not old enough to rebel against …show more content…
Not much information is given about Romeo’s family other than the fact that they are indeed Montagues. Romeo’s character flaw is that his only desire in life is to love and be loved and when he finally fulfills that desire it is to the one that he is not even allowed to interact with, let alone love. As both Romeo and Juliet have no siblings they are their families only hopes at having a new generation to continue the family name.
When Romeo slays Tybalt for the sake of Mercutio, it was argued that he should be killed as well. Lady Capulet is quoted saying to the Prince “I beg for justice, which thou, Prince, must give. Romeo slew Tybalt: Romeo must not live.” (3.1, 180-181). It is by pure luck that this beg for justice is not followed through. The reason Romeo was not slain was that Mercutio was related to the Prince and as for that he was defending a distant line of royalty. He is instead banished and never to be seen again. Romeo’s given identity is a Montague who is young and foolish and craves only the attention of
Romeo and Juliet is set in the small, Italian city of …show more content…
Was it Friar Laurence’s fault for not acting quicker? Was it the parents’ of Romeo and Juliet for not allowing their children to express themselves and follow their desires? It all depends on how the reader looks at the situation. Juliet was arranged to be married to an older man, Paris, who only wanted a wife to mate and have offspring so the family name will live on. “Younger than she are happy mothers made” (1.2, 12). Since as Juliet was only fourteen years old at that time her priorities most likely weren’t to be married and especially not to have children. Since she was of a higher social class it was to be expected that as soon as a female’s body matured she was to be married off. Marrying for love was almost unheard of because they needed to keep wealthy and well-mannered offspring a tradition. So, Juliet didn’t have much choice but to follow her parent’s orders. If someone were to compare this situation to how people are married in this time era they would find that, in a majority of the cases, arranged marriage is often frowned upon in modern society. In countries that are in poverty, that still treat women like cattle, the idea of arranged marriage is still used. This shows how women have gained more freedom in who they want to spend the rest of their life with. Juliet’s identity was looked upon as a Capulet and grown teenager who was old enough to be married but not old enough to rebel against …show more content…
Not much information is given about Romeo’s family other than the fact that they are indeed Montagues. Romeo’s character flaw is that his only desire in life is to love and be loved and when he finally fulfills that desire it is to the one that he is not even allowed to interact with, let alone love. As both Romeo and Juliet have no siblings they are their families only hopes at having a new generation to continue the family name.
When Romeo slays Tybalt for the sake of Mercutio, it was argued that he should be killed as well. Lady Capulet is quoted saying to the Prince “I beg for justice, which thou, Prince, must give. Romeo slew Tybalt: Romeo must not live.” (3.1, 180-181). It is by pure luck that this beg for justice is not followed through. The reason Romeo was not slain was that Mercutio was related to the Prince and as for that he was defending a distant line of royalty. He is instead banished and never to be seen again. Romeo’s given identity is a Montague who is young and foolish and craves only the attention of